Long time no see

[The Mutant]

It has been quite some time since I posted here last, so I thought it better to re-introduce myself.

Hi, windowsill grower from Sweden (yes, I grow windowsills, not orchids ).

I used to have an collection of about 70-ish orchids, consisting mainly of Phals (species, primary hybrids, complex hybrids), Paphs (same as the Phals, but more species in comparison) and a few other genera.

Unfortunately, I completely burned out and sold/gave away/tossed my entire collection as I couldn't care for them anymore.

I got diagnosed with autism (high functioning) during this period and have been on sick leave since. It's taken a very long to return to something resembling my previous self, and I'm still not there yet.

I bought a NoID Phal before Christmas to see if I could care for it. After that one, four more followed and I started to feel the old joy of caring for orchids again.

Sadly, I threw all of them in the garbage earlier today after discovering scale on one of them. I'm planning to order some named Phals from one of my favorite vendors as soon as it gets warm enough to ship, and I just couldn't risk getting scale on them as well.

I don't have the energy to battle scale and as pesticide is not readily available to the public here in Sweden, it would've been a drawn out one.

Anyway, I'm sort of back but without orchids at the moment. The plan is to order some Phals and if I'm capable of caring for them without burning out, I'll order some Paphs as well. I won't have close to the same number as before though and I have to be hard on myself so I don't get lost in the orchid addiction again.

So, hi!

[rbarata]

Welcome back, M!
Hope you can find here some help with your disease.

[DirtyCoconuts]

hi and welcome back- please feel free to ask any questions and we are a supportive and un-judgy group. i have lots of family on the spectrum and it is a challenge to say the least so cheers to you for handling it and being brave!

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

hi and welcome back- please feel free to ask any questions and we are a supportive and un-judgy group. i have lots of family on the spectrum and it is a challenge to say the least so cheers to you for handling it and being brave!

Thank you! Yes, it's difficult at times, mostly when the issues I have comes to head with how society works. Getting a diagnosis has helped a lot however. I don't try to use my disability as an excuse or a shield, but more as a way to know why some things are so extremely exhausting compared to those not on the spectrum. It has also been a great help for me to be nicer to myself.

I'm happy that I'm doing better so that I may return to one of my great interests: growing Phals and Paphs!

[estación seca]

Welcome back to the Orchid Board!

Here's something to think about: I don't use pesticides for scale. After scrubbing the plant with soapy water and a small brush to remove the scale I can see, I completely immerse the plant in a pitcher or bucket of water with a tiny bit of soap. You can do this on a bare-root plant or one in a pot. If it is in a pot with medium that floats I put the plant into the water upside down. I leave it for 8-12 hours. This drowns the scale and their eggs without harming the plant. On rare occasion I have needed to repeat this once on a plant, but it almost always kills all the bugs the first time.

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

Thank you! Yes, it's difficult at times, mostly when the issues I have comes to head with how society works. Getting a diagnosis has helped a lot however. I don't try to use my disability as an excuse or a shield, but more as a way to know why some things are so extremely exhausting compared to those not on the spectrum.

Welcome! I’ve spent the past 7 years working for a disability service provider that specializes in serving people with ASD (mod/severe). The biggest thing I learned is that society needs to be better at allowing people to be themselves. Anybody that refuses to expand their ridged view of “socially acceptable” can kick rocks. I have ADHD and also do things a bit differently, but different can be awesome.

[camille1585]

Hey, welcome back, it has indeed been a very long time! When reading old threads I occasionally come across one of your posts, and then wonder how you are doing and if you stopped the orchid hobby. Looks like my questions are answered. I'm glad you found some of your own answers as well, and hope you'll continue to feel better. I hope you'll find joy in orchids again.

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome back to the Orchid Board!

Here's something to think about: I don't use pesticides for scale. After scrubbing the plant with soapy water and a small brush to remove the scale I can see, I completely immerse the plant in a pitcher or bucket of water with a tiny bit of soap. You can do this on a bare-root plant or one in a pot. If it is in a pot with medium that floats I put the plant into the water upside down. I leave it for 8-12 hours. This drowns the scale and their eggs without harming the plant. On rare occasion I have needed to repeat this once on a plant, but it almost always kills all the bugs the first time.

Thank you so much for this advice. Even though it's too late for the Phals I had, if it happens again I now have a strategy to fall back on! This is worth a lot to me.

Originally Posted by camille1585

Hey, welcome back, it has indeed been a very long time! When reading old threads I occasionally come across one of your posts, and then wonder how you are doing and if you stopped the orchid hobby. Looks like my questions are answered. I'm glad you found some of your own answers as well, and hope you'll continue to feel better. I hope you'll find joy in orchids again.

Hi Camille! It sure has and I hope so too. I think having pets and orchids is actually something that makes me feel better in general, so the fact that I feel ready to start over with the latter (already have the pet-part covered) is progress in and of itself.

[WaterWitchin]

So nice to see you again Mutant! A good diagnosis is a great step toward understanding the specifics of any issue, and as you say "being nicer to oneself" is helpful regardless of anyone's situation. Happy to see you back on track to loving yourself just the way you are. I'm sure it's a part of being able to go back to things that bring you joy.

And that new cat best friend is quite the cat! Very photogenic and expressive. Glad you found each other!

[Optimist]

I remember you! Howdy from the SW US.